The chosen ones: Rugby Championship's first XV

Rugby columnist

Best of the best: New Zealand's captain Richie McCaw with his South African counterpart Jean de Villiers. Photo: AFP

The Rugby Championship is done and dusted for another year, but who were the players that caught the eye? It is hard to go past the All Blacks for the bulk of the side. The New Zealanders are playing at a different level to the rest at the moment. This the XV we would choose as our team of the tournament.

Tight-head propIn a tournament in which tight-head props were having their heads popped up at scrum time as a matter of course, Los Pumas strongman Juan Figallo enhanced his reputation as the rock at the set piece. Argentina missed him in Rosario.

Loose-head propThe durable Tony Woodcock brushed off his moderate Super Rugby form with another strong tournament, especially at the breakdown where his destructive removal of bodies is so key to the All Blacks getting quick ball.

Team of the Rugby Championships

HookerIt's easy to forget this was Bismarck du Plessis' return from a lengthy injury lay-off. Incredibly strong over the ball and, at times, unstoppable at the back of the Springboks' rolling maul.

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Second-rowersHow could you separate youngsters Eben Etzebeth and Brodie Retallick? We couldn't, so we've included both. Retallick came of age in the All Blacks v Springboks Test in Auckland – great hands, a big engine and and an uncompromising edge. And Etzebeth is a year younger, at only 21. The birth of a great rivalry.

No.6Liam Messam. Blues youngster Steven Luatua has vast potential, but when the All Blacks needed to get the job done in the most trying environment, Messam responded. The Wallabies' Scott Fardy impressed consistently, but Messam's tough, athletic play in the tight and loose during the last three games was too good to ignore.

No.7There is a growing list of young pretenders, but Richie McCaw is still to be surpassed. Physicality in the tackle is till a notch or two ahead of Michael Hooper, who had his own problems in his duels with the impressive Francois Louw.

No.8The easy one. Kieran Read isn't just the best No.8 in the world, he's the most complete player in the world. He scores tries, creates tries, defends superbly and is a tower at the lineout.

No.9Aaron Smith. Probably has the sweetest left-to-right pass in the game, and has given the All Blacks' attack another dimension since the World Cup. There are more physical halfbacks around, but they don't have Smith's skill level. Kicking has improved, too.

No.10Had Aaron Cruden or Beauden Barrett been able get another 80 minutes under their belts this choice would have been different, but Morne Steyn remains a superbly consistent accumulator of points. He has developed his game, too, bringing width to the Boks' back line and bumping off Retallick in one memorable collision.

No.11Julian Savea. One of Savea's great strengths is his ability to create tries as well as score them. Has worked hard at working hard, and it is showing in every game. Has a particular knack for angling in away from the touchline to open up space for support outside. Pips Bryan Habana by a whisker.

No.12Has Jean de Villiers had a finer Tri Nations or Rugby Championship? Seems to be relishing the Springboks' determination to use the ball and captained with composure. His trampling of Barrett in the final game for an outstanding try was a highlight.

No.13Conrad Smith begins his extended break from the game as the world's premier outside-centre, where he has been for the past few years. Brilliant defender, link player and consistently underrated as a ball carrier. So good the All Blacks are looking for a facsimile, Ben Smith, as his replacement.

No.14From the first game of Super Rugby this season, Ben Smith has been the best outside back in New Zealand, making light of Cory Jane's absence. Interest now turns to whether he can handle the defensive duties at No.13 in Dunedin next week.

No.15Despite Israel Folau's athleticism, he is still some way off Israel Dagg when it comes to fulfilling the many roles of the modern fullback. Dagg's defence, kicking and positioning are – as you'd expect – well ahead of Folau's, who is still learning the game.

34 comments so far

I was so relieved when I heard that Figallo was NOT in the Bargies team that played the Wallabies last w'end...as it might have been a totally different result had he been playing. I don't think the Aussie scrum would have survived with him and his fellow amigos doing what the Bargies do best...scrum the oppostion to death. So good to see him make your list, Cully...as he is one of the best in the dark art preformed by those of the 'fat club'.

As to rest of your list it's hard to argue one way or another...all selected players are in great form and deserve to be there.

Player of the RC 2013....for me, it's got to be Ben Smith...didn't miss a beat and some !

Commenter

Machooka

Location

inner west Sydney

Date and time

October 10, 2013, 2:41PM

@ Chook..... Totally agree, but considering I am a Highlander,and Ben smith was a product of my old High School, I possibly do lean towards him. Then again I have said that, in my opinion, he is the best fullback in New Zealand, but how do you separate him and Izzy Dagg, when he is in form. It's going to be interesting when Cory Jane comes back into the fold next year as he had a steady game on his return for the Wellington Lions. Another player that you might like to keep your eye on mate, is, one, Ihaia West from Hawkes Bay. The way he is playing, this "young blood" will have the big three No.10's in the country looking over their shoulders. He is awesome. Also don't worry about Ben Smith handling 13 , as he has played for the Highlanders there. Cheers

Commenter

Muzzo

Location

Johannesburg via Orange

Date and time

October 10, 2013, 8:52PM

@ Muzzo

Mate...maaaate...enough already on YOUR real predictions for the blooming AB factory producing a never ending line of flyhalves, fullbacks, halfbacks....hell, lets just say players from 1 to 15 and leave it at that ! Infact, please advise the mothers of NZ to cease popping-out these gifted and talented future ABs....surely they can distract themselves by watching a bit of TV or knit a wooly jumper or two or even bake the odd bloody cake ? Stop them doing what they've been doing for country and let the rest of the Rugby world try and catch-up...it's only fair ! I'll give you the tip...I've been trying to do my bit in producing but as soon I try to the BLACK mist invades my thoughts and I' rendered useless...this must stop...if not for your bros in Aussie....for the benefit of the Rugby planet. See ya in Dunedin...I'll be the guy handing-out the condoms !

Commenter

Machooka

Location

inner west Sydney

Date and time

October 11, 2013, 10:32AM

Only 10 All Blacks in the side I would have thought all 15 such is thier dominance

Commenter

johnno cody

Date and time

October 10, 2013, 3:19PM

How long since no Australian was good enough to make a composite side? Our peoblem isn't just the team underperforming, it's individual player mediocrity across the board, throughout the Australian franchises. Good or average players paid a lot predominate who can't make the step up to being consistently above average.

Commenter

Frank

Date and time

October 10, 2013, 9:22PM

For this particular RC I wouldn't have picked McCaw; I would have gone for Louw or Hooper. I would also have picked Habana. Player of the tournament for me was Kieran Read - what a guy.

Commenter

abercarn

Date and time

October 10, 2013, 3:24PM

Agree with abercarn , Keran Read , what an amazing player he is , every area he is all over it , hands down best player of the tournament for sure

Commenter

Ben

Date and time

October 10, 2013, 8:33PM

"Hooper or Louw over McCaw"......REALLY? Dude, you have to stop smoking that stuff and straighten yourself out, its screwing you up!

Commenter

Con

Location

QLD

Date and time

October 10, 2013, 10:05PM

Although I can't agree with Steyn - he'd be low down the pecking order in an AB selection too - I understand the logic of your selection - but for me Barrett has been outstanding coming on in both Tests against the Boks. He thinks well, he kicks well both for points and in general play, he runs at the line, he defends well and yes he got bumped off by de Villiers but a couple of minutes later he was in under the posts after stepping both de Villiers and Steyn not to mention le Roux and Kirchner. And that ankle tap on le Roux, and the pace to get there and execute, are signs of things to come.

Commenter

chracol

Date and time

October 10, 2013, 4:52PM

You'r so right about BarrettCame on at Napier for last few minutes v French in 3rd Test (?) and ran through them also............with first touch of the ball (from deep)!Being groomed for NH tour and Carter/Cruden understudy (still leaves Slade and Pananera!!)